Magnetically adjustable hair trimmer



Jan." l0, 1961 E. L. AHLBORN 2,967,354

MAGNETICALLY ADJUSTABLE HAIR TRIMMER Filed may 22, 1959 l `INVENTOR yEDWARD L. AHLBoRN ATTORNEY United States Patent() MAGNETICALLY ADJUSTABLE HAIR TRIMMER Edward L. Ahlborn, 511 Robindale, Dearborn,.=Mich.

Filed May 22, 1959, Ser. No. 815,015

8 Claims. A(Cl. 3030) 'The present invention relates `to a lhair trimming Idevice. More particularly, vthe present invention relates to a hair trimming device adapted primarily for home use, an ordinary safety razor -blade being utilized therewith, and the cutting edge of the razor blade being adjustable by a magnet adjustment means.

Hair trimming devices adapted for home use have been known for some time and normally have included some form of a comb structure on which a cutting member such as an ordinary razor blade was secured. In these heretofore known hair trimmers the blade was adjustable with respect to the outer edges of the comb so as to enable the user to effect the proper blade adjustment. However, these prior blade adjusting means were di'lcult to operate and were relativelycomplicated in structure utilizing such devices as gear actuating means, set screws or some form of slide construction.

The present invention avoids the attendant difiiculties experienced with the prior known blade adjusting devices and provides a simple but effective blade adjusting structure. The blade adjusting device .embodiedherein includes a magnet that magnetically attracts the inner edge of a double edge razor blade thereto. By providing for movement of the magnet in a direction toward and away from the outer edges of the comb, the cutting edge of the blade may be adjusted with respect to the comb edges.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hair trimming device that is simple in construction and effective in operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hair trimming device that utilizes a magnet in combination with an ordinary razor blade for adjusting the cutting edge of the blade with respect to the comb teeth of the hair trimmer.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hair trimming device that includes a body formed of a molded plastic material in which a magnet ispositioned for adjusting the cutting portion of a cutting member with respect to a comb member.

Still another object of the present invention' is to provide a hair trimming device that includes a simple adjusting element that coacts with a magnet to adjust a cutting blade with respect to a comb member.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of the present invention, the cutting blade being illustrated in the .retracted position thereof;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the hair cutting device illustrated in Fig. 1, the cutting blade, magnet and adjusting means being illustrated in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along'lines 4-4 in Fig. 1;

2,967,354 Patented Jan. 1Q, 1961 Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 5-5 in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of `the holder and body portion of the hair trimming device with *a portion cut away; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective View o'f the magnet andthe adjusting plate that coacts with the magnet for adjusting the position of the cutting blade.

VReferring now to the drawings, the hair trimming fdcvice embodied in the subject invention is illustrated therein and is generally indicated at 10. The hair trimming device 10 includes a lbody lportion 12 that is kshown centrally positioned between -outwardly extending handles 14 and 16 that are integrally joined thereto. The `body 12 and handles 14 and 16 are preferably formed of a molded thermo-plastic material, although it is within the spirit of the invention to fabricate the unit o'f various materials, such as molded -rubber or metal. v

As shown in the drawings, the device 10 maybe gripped by either handle 14 or 16 and utilized by the user wit-h his left or right hand to perform the hair trimming Aoperation. The width -of the body portion 12 extends b'eyond the lateral dimensions of the handles 14, 1'6 fand includes an extension 18 that terminates ina plurality of comb teeth 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the Ycomb teeth 20 are tapered in conventional fashion and define afgui'cle for the'cutting blade during the hair trimming operation.

Secured to the body portion 1'2 is a lhousing generally indicated at 22 and illustrated more clearly in (Figc f6. The housing 22 is adapted to receive av magnet, magnet adjusting means and cutting blade therein as will ib'e described hereinafter and is defined by a front wall 2.21, side walls 26, 28 and a top wall 30. The housing 22 is also preferably molded of a thermoplastic material Aand is joined to the body portion in any convenient manner. The side walls 26, 28 of the housing 2.2 are sub stantially of the same width, the yinner edges thereof abutting and being joined to the inner surface of the body portion 12. The inner surface of the body portion 12 thus defines the rear wall of the housing 22. As shown in Fig. 6, the body portion 12 is formed witlia recess in the top edge thereof which is enclosed vby the top wall 30, the top wall 30 extending over the upper edge of the body portion 12 as illustrated in Fig. V5, a longitudinally extending slot 32 thereby being defined by the recess and the top wall 30.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6, the front wall 2'4 is shown formed with an opening 31 therein,V which as shown in the drawings, has a scalloped configuration. lIt is understood that the opening 31 may be formed in any manner desired and will normally Ireceive an insert plate or tag on which descriptive matter, such as instructions or identifying literature, may be imprinted.

In order to accommodate a blade element, the housing 22 is reduced in cross section to define a lower portion that includes side walls 34, 35 and a front wall 36. vIt is understood that the lower portion of the housing22 is molded integrally with the upper portion of the housing 22. As seen in Fig. 5 a slot 25 is formed between the junction of the walls 24 and 36 and the .Wall-361 is spaced from the inner surface of the body portion 12 and defines a blade receiving slot 37 therewith.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the wall 36 overlie's a portion of the comb teeth 2li and cooperates with the side walls 34, 35 and the body portion 12 to define a blade holder generally indicated at 38 in which a blade 39 may be inserted. As illustrated in the drawings, the blade 39 is an ordinary double edge safety razor blade and it is contemplated that this form of blade be utilized with the invention, since it is the most convenient type of blade available to the home user. However, it is understood that other forms of razor blades or cutting bladesy cati be employed with the hair trimming device embodied herein, provided that they meet the dimensional requirements for insertion into the blade holder 38.

In order to adjust the cutting edge of the blade 39 with respect to the outer edges of the comb teeth a unique form of adjusting means is provided and includes an alnico magnet 40 that is positioned within the housing 22. As illustrated in Fig. 7 the magnet 40 is trapezoidal in conliguraton and includes a relatively straight edge 42 that is adapted to receive the inner edge of the blade 39 in engagement therewith. Formed on the magnet 4i) opposite the straight edge 42 is an inclined edge 44 that faces in the direction of the top wall 30. The lateral dimensions of the magnet 40 are such that the magnet is snugly received within the holder 22, the sides of the magnet engaging the side walls 26 and 28 of the holder in sliding relation therewith. As shown in Fig. 5, the inclined edge 44 and the inner surface of the top wall 30 dene a space 45 therebetween. In order to adjust the position of the blade 39 the magnet 40 must be shifted in a direction toward the comb teeth 20 or transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof. For this purpose a metal adjusting member 46 is provided and is disposed in the space 45 in engagement with the magnet 40. As shown in Fig. 2, the adjusting member 46 which is formed as a metal stamping occupies less than the full length of the housing 22 and includes a. lower ange 48 and an upper ange 49, the lower flange 48 being inclined similarly to the inclined edge 44 of the magnet 40 and being disposed in sliding engagement with the upper magnet edge 44. Formed on the upper flange 49 of the adjusting member 46 and extending rearwardly thereof is a tab 50, the tab 50 projecting through the slot 32 and providing an easily accessible means for adjusting the position of the blade 39. It is seen that the longitudinal dimension of the adjusting member 46 is considerably less than that of the magnet 40 and the housing 22. Thus the adjusting member 46 may be shifted longitudinally within the space 4S defined by the top wall 30 and the inclined wall 44 of the magnet 40. Since the adjusting member 46 is formed of a magnetically attractable material, the flange 48 positively and continuously engages with the inclined wall 44 of the magnet 40 during any sliding movement thereof. As the adjusting member 46 is shifted laterally by movement of the tab 50, which is formed as an integral part thereof, the magnet 40 will tend to follow the adjusting member 46 and will thus be moved either toward or away from the comb teeth 20 or in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof.

In order that the inner edge of the blade 39 will not bind or be caught between the magnet 40 and the inner surface of the body portion 12, as the magnet is shifted forward and away from the comb teeth 20, a protuberance 52 is formed on thel inner surface of the body portion 12 as illustrated in Fig. 5. The projection or protuberance 52 engages the adjacent surface of the blade 39 and forces the blade toward the Wall 36, the inner edge of the blade thereby being urged into engaging relation with the lower edge of the magnet 40. Since the blade 39 is urged toward the wall 36, a relatively narrow space 54 is formed between the inner surface of the body portion 12 and the inner portion of the blade 38. Thus, the surface of the blade 39 is constantly urged away from the inner surface of the body portion 12, thereby assuring that the inner edge of the blade will not become lodged between the magnet 40 and the body portion 12.

peraton Referring to Fig. 2, the adjusting member 46 is shown positioned on the right side of the housing 22 as seen from the rear. As the adjusting member 46 is moved to the left by movement of the tab 50 (as seen in Fig. 2) the magnet 40 will in turn be moved downwardly, thereby moving the cutting edge of the razor blade 39 more closely to the outer edges of the comb teeth 20. This in effect adjusts the position of the blade 39 with respect to the comb teeth 20, and it is seen that the user may adjust the blade position in accordance with the desired requirements by simply sliding the tab 50 along the slot 32. When it is necessary to retract the blade 39, the adjusting member 46 is moved by the tab 50 to the right as seen in Fig. 2. Since the magnet 40 and the adjusting member 40 are magnetically engaged, the magnet 40 will move upwardly (as seen in Fig. 2) carrying the blade 39 therewith. It is readily apparent that the adjustment of the blade 39 with respect to the outer edges of the comb teeth 20 may be simply effected by lateral movement of the tab 50 along the slot 32.

The inner edge of the blade 39 will at all times remain in engaging relation with the edge 42 of the magnet 40, but if it is desired to inter-change the position of the blade 39 or to replace the blade, this may be quickly and easily accomplished since there is sufficient space provided between the lower edge of the wall 36 and the comb teeth 20. In order to remove the blade 39, it is shifted to the outermost position thereof and then grasped by the thumb and forenger and removed from its engaging relation with the magnet 40. The blade 39 may be reversed in position or a new blade may be inserted in the slot between the wall 36 and comb teeth 20, the inner edge of the blade being moved inwardly suiciently until attracted by the edge 42 of the magnet 40. The adjustment of the cutting edge of the new blade 39 may then be carried out as described above.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a hair trimming device, a body portion having a plurality of comb teeth formed thereon and adapted -to receive a cutting blade therein, a magnet mounted on said body portion for movement with respect thereto, and magnetically attracting said blade for movement therewith, and means magnetically engaging said magnet for shifting said magnet toward and away from the outer edges of said comb teeth, thereby adjusting the cutting edge of said blade with respect to said comb teeth.

2. In a hair trimming device, a body portion having a plurality of comb teeth formed on one end thereof, a handle joined to said body portion, a housing joined to said body portion and having a space formed therein, a plate joined to said body portion adjacent said houslng and overlying a portion of said comb teeth to define a slot for receiving a cutting blade, a magnet disposed 1n said housing occupying the full length thereof and having an edge thereof in engaging relation with the inner edge of said blade, the edge of said magnet opposite said blade engaging edge being inclined, an adjusting member positioned in said housing in engaging relation with the inclined edge of said magnet and occupying less than the full length of said housing, said adjusting mem,

ber having an inclined edge engaging the inclined edge of said magnet, whereby movement of said adjusting member within said housing moves said magnet in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof, said blade thereby being adjusted with respect to the outer edges of said comb teeth.

3. In a hair trimming device, a body portion, a magnet mounted on said body portion for movement with respect thereto, one edge of said magnet having a cutting blade magnetically engaged therewith, and means for moving said magnet for adjusting the position of the cutting edge of said blade with respect to said body portion.

4. In a hair trimming device, a body portion having a plurality of comb teeth formed on one end thereof, a housing mounted on said body portion, a magnet positioned in said housing, means engaging said magnet for moving said magnet in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof, said housing including a reduced extension that overlies a portion of said comb teeth and that is adapted to receive a cutting blade therein, said magnet retaining said cutting blade in magnetic engagement therewith, whereby movement of said magnet produces a corresponding movement of said blade toward and away from the outer edges of said comb teeth.

5. In a fhair trimming device as set forth in claim 4, a protuberance formed on the inner surface of said body portion and spaced from said reduced extension, said blade extending between said protuberance and said reduced extension and thereby being forced away from the inner surface of said body portion, whereby said blade is prevented from lodging between said magnet and said body portion.

6. In a lhair trimming device as set forth in claim 4, the edge of said magnet opposite said comb teeth being inclined, said moving means being wedge shape in configuration iand magnetically engaging the inclined edge of said magnet, whereby longitudinal movement of said moving means produces a corresponding transverse movement of said magnet and blade.

7. In a hair trimming device, a body portion adapted to carry a cutting blade thereon and having a plurality of comb teeth formed on one end thereof, a handle joined to said body portion, a movable magnet mounted on said body portion, means for retaining said movable magnet on said body portion in engagement with an edge of said cutting blade, and means for moving said magnet and blade in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof for adjusting the position of said blade with respect to said comb teeth.

8. In a hair trimming device as set forth in claim 7, the edge of said magnet opposite the blade engaging edge being inclined, and the magnet engaging edge of said adjusting member being inclined similarly to said magnet inclined edge, whereby movement of said adjusting member causes said magnet to be translated in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,241,969 Hartman Oct. 2, 1917 1,337,429 Bergendahl Apr. 20, 1920 2,716,809 Malone Sept. 6, 1955 

